Monday, July 30, 2012

Enough with the exhibition mode, its time for serious and meaningful friendlies

I never impress with the idea of our national team to play in an exhibition match, against any visiting european football clubs. The fact that our national team never learn or never earn any slice of benefits from it. Personal glory  or self satisfactory maybe, enjoyed by most of the national team players. But in term of football progress, we should take a long look and re consider future similar fixture.

A national team must at any way, to be played in an A GRADE international fixture. Thats mean Malaysia to play any national team in this planet, and NOT to play against any club side whether localy or internationaly. I urge FAM to be more serious on this, planning and arranging future international friendlies, or friendly tournament. Why am i not happy with these fixture? Well, i have come up with some reasons why we need to arrange friendlies fixture accordingly

First, exhibition games against the BPL clubs won't help the Harimau Malaya to climb up the ladder in FIFA ranking. The result was totaly meaningless, but again and again, the team always exposed by the visiting teams with our boys normally well beaten and the coach will end up saying "They are in different level, they are world class players"....and so on. We have to accept the painful reality, currently our football are not up to the expectation as yet. The team gave their best, played with pride eventhough looked tired considering that they have been serving the fasting month of Ramadhan with full of sincerity. To achieve higher rank in FIFA's list, the only way is by playing against another national team, not a club side.

Second, the visiting BPL teams are not playing anywhere near 70% of their true potential capability. They are here only for marketing purpose, making money by penetrating south east asia's market. They are not here to help our football. They are not interested with our talent. So, why are we so serious playing against them? In actual fact, they dont even bother on whatever outcome that may occur after the game. It is better for us, the host to field a selection or best eleven from our Super league. The best foreign imports plus some 3 or 4 top local players. They are promoting their brand, so we should unleash our local brand as well, which is the Super league itself.

Third, Harimau Malaya should be given a true international game. This is where FAM looked lacking so much. Can we play a lesser side from europe such Macedonia, Cyprus, Belarus, Lithuania and etc? Why is it so hard for FAM to arrange a quality fixture? Or lesser south American side such as Venezuela, trinidad & Tobago and etc? Is it so impossible for FAM to find an opponent or is it just because effort was not sufficient enough to attract suitable opponent for friendlies? Please let the Super League All Star to play against the visiting european clubs. Its time for FAM to move on, no more exhibition game for our beloved national team, please give them a real football.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Exciting time for Johor football

Even though the state team failed to qualify for next year's Super League, i am confident they will come back stronger next year. This is due to the changes take place in PBNJ, powered by the new owner's ambitious plan and financial strength. Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim's vision has bring new hope for Johor football.

Players salary has been adjusted to motivate the team to perform better, as a result we can see the late push by Johor fa in the final 4,5 games in the premier league. Fandi Ahmad was brought in to help the team's technical dan tactical improvisation. News highlighting the appointment more as a technical adviser. But for next season, i believe Fandi's role could be a bigger one. I predict Fandi Ahmad will be appointed as head coach for the first team next year and will be assigned to lead Johor Fa for Super league automatic promotion spot. I believe the Singapore legend has what it takes to deliver the desired result. He won tittles in Singapore league, as well as coaching experience in Indonesian Super League.

News of Argentine great Gabriel Batistuta joining the technical team was also an exciting prospect. However, as to date, he is largely seen as a mediator for PBNJ in their effort to land quality players from Argentina. Juan Roman Requelme, Pablo Aimar, Andres D Allesandro, David trezeguet and even Michael Owen were mentioned to be linked with next years PBNJ signings. HOwever, so far no conclusive agreement was made between PBNJ and the said foreign stars.

Tunku Ismail himself declared that he want to see an improved Larkin Stadium in term of up todate facilities, including training complex for the team. More football fields to be build across the state, to accomodate the publics interest to the game.

The nature of football fans in Johor is that, they want to support a winning side. A football team that competitive enough to deliver 3 points every time they play in the league, either at home or away. Fans nowadays demanding a team that have the consistency, high level discipline, great resilliance, desire to win at all cost, battling for every ball and the most important factor is beautiful flowing passing attacking football. The fans need that before they could spent their money for a ticket, or before they spend on team's merchandise such as shirt and mafla.

In short term, to build a very attractive attacking side would be by spending big on local talents across the nation. Players with quality, flair, great positive attitude, experienced need to be brought in to strenghten the squad. Players like Farizal Marlias (GK-Negeri sembilan), Fadhli Shas (Harimau Muda), Fandi Othman (Harimau Muda), Irfan Fazail (Harimau Muda) and Baddroll Bakhtiar (Relegated Kedah) could be an excellent addition to the squad. By winning in style, is the only way to seduce fans back into the stadium.

In longer term, currently Johor have their own domestic league in Liga Johor and Piala Sultan Johor. I hope PBNJ could raise the standard of the league by imposing 'A' licensed coach to be allowed to handle any participating team. This will improve the domestic's club technical and tactical ability. Also i suggest at least 3 players on each starting eleven must be below 20 years old. This will help the talents to grow in Johor.

Not to forget TMJ's plan to build a football academy in Nusajaya, which is vital for the growth of any football team. If possible, the coaching set up in that academy must be headed by a reputable foreign coach. People like louis Van Gaal, Gerrard Houllier, Pep Guardiola and more are the one we need to have in order to produce the best.

With planning are in place, sponsors are lining up, ambitious management in work, i could tell you the excitement is building up in Johor. Football is the missing puzzle in johor's society, and they will finaly have a team to be proud of. Me too, felt the wave of the return of the southern tiger to the top of Malaysian football in the near future. Johor fans certainly have something to cheer about.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Malaysia's QPR week

The visiting English club is not a household name in Malaysia. This club can be considered as a lesser team for those following the English Premier League. But the club chairman is a Malaysian, and that could be a big factor why they are coming to the far east.

Frankly, i dont take their Malaysian tour seriously. There is not much for me to look for. The mainstream media tried to build the pre match excitement as much as they can, by giving a special publicity around Park Ji Sung. 

However, i do believe the Malaysian tour against Sabah and Kelantan will benefits the local Super League. The friendlies wont help us in term of football ability, but it may give our super league an extra edge from the marketing view. The QPR fans in England are following the team via clubs news, internet as well as the social network and this will give a very healthy publicity to our local football brand.

Personally, for longe term, if the clubs from europe continously make their visit here every year, our football brand, local youth talents will have a bigger opportunity to get noticed. I suggest for any Malaysian state or club side to field their best local and young players to face the visiting team. Produce and sell, thats the main objective while the match result should be a secondary issue. I wish all the best for QPR for the upcoming new season in England, and you are welcome to Malaysia any time.

Monday, July 16, 2012

A call for a more competitive, industry and huge investment football league format

The season is now reaching to the third quarter term, where play off matches are expected to be played. But frankly when i saw more traditional powerhouse like Kedah struggling to stay up in the super league, then i concluded that football management in Malaysia need a help. A profesional help.

There is also Perlis relegated to the FAM league (third tier competition) and to remind all of us, Perlis were Malaysia cup champions back in 2004 & 2006 if not mistaken. I suspect lack of funds was the main reason behind these downfalls. When you dont have enough funds to attract top talent in term of salary war, then you was forced to search for lesser or shall i say 'B grade' players. A team full of B or C grade players will eventually pull you down to the bottom of the league. Not to mention lack of dressing room harmony due to lack of incentives such as winning bonuses payment being deffered.

I want to suggest to the M League authority, the time has come to change our way of work. The football league in this country is no longer an ordinary entertainment, or it is no longer a charity organization used by certain party for their own personal agendas. Our football league is now in need for bigger investment in term of sponsorships, or some  refer as ventures.

The league itself must be a separate entity, or at least a partly owned company of FAM. The Malaysian Super League must be a separate company or at least FAM could only have 40% share in that company. I suggest FAM, as the highest football governing body in this country to find a profesional and neutral party to organize, managing and run the league. In a simpler word, FAM to outsource the M league to an outside company. FAM will eventually be the principle owner with certain percentage of shares, while the third party company will be the league's operator with some extended authority.

In our case, MALAYSIA SUPER LEAGUE SDN BHD must have that extended authority in handling the domestic league. extended authority or similar to financial autonomy should be given to the MSL SB. With proper handover, MSL SB will govern the league with a more profesional approach. MSL SB should be allowed to negotiate with the main sponsors on any sponsorship deals, should be allowed to negotiate with TV revenues, should be allowed for full scale league's financial budget and other corporate planning.

When the structure is in place, then MSL SB need to design a very competitive league format such as to have 16 team competing in the Super league, 16 teams in Premier league, 10 teams in FAM league, and 8 to 10 teams in regional leagues (central, north, east, south and east malaysia region).

Malaysian league as an industry? We can achieve it by focusing on high income that could be generated by the league, players and corporate sponsors. I suggest for the league to grant high financial sponsors package to then teams. I estimate around RM 15 million a year for each team competing in super league. High financial grant will, in return help the team to offer great salary package to their players. The funds available will enable the clubs to keep aside some money for saving, reinvestment or generate more money through some side business ventures such as merchandizing store.

MSL SB as the license holder of the leagues may offer local or international investor to invest in the league. MSL SB also may appeal to the government to grant a special tax exemption for any company that interested to invest. Yes, lure the investor to invest. Like i said before, football must be treated as a national agenda. The football authority must go beyond the ordinary thinking, set aside any political or self interest. By making the football league as an industry is the only way moving forward. No more struggling states with rely on states government funds, no more players with deffered salary bills. Our football must go big in full scale.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Similarity of corporate decision in Shinji Kagawa signing, and Nazmi Faiz adventure

Globalization in football has becoming a common issue nowadays, players coming from every corner of this world emerged with outstanding talent. I am amazed with the rise of asian players in europe. 

And i am happy for the Japanese people for their success in producing talents such as Shinji Kagawa. His sensational season debut with Borrusia Dortmund impressed me, leaving me wondering how good the J League is, and the same time hoping our duo in Wan zack & Wan Zaharulnizam to do well in their trial with Fc Ryukyu. 

For any big clubs in europe, or also the lesser one, the purchasing of playing staff is now regarded as a vital move and could be seen as the club's prime direction. Some of the club need collective decision when it comes to transfer policy. They will look into any extra factor that can give them additional benefit such as TV right, merchandizing prospect and creating reputation in a new market.

I thought the same factor lead Manchester United's decision in signing the Japanese playmaker. They benefited both on and off the pitch by bringing in the latest talent from Japan. I am sure the boy will strengthen united's midfield with his creativity, and in the same time shirt sale in Tokyo will soar. A two in one package.

The same case would happen in the signing of Nazmi Faiz with Sc Beira Marr. The Portugese outfit may not the biggest name in Portugal football and let alone in europe, but their courage effort in bringing talents from south east asia indicates their global vision. They are looking for football talent, and also intended to leave a footprint in a new market segment in case of future global venture. 

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Top 6 talents that need to move away to revive their footballing career

This country have been producing football talents for almost a century now. Some of them were natural born football players, some of them managed to trade their football abroad, some of them were so successful with the national team, some of them forced to retired early due to unfortunate long term injury, some of them idolised by the locals and not to forget some of them being caught with serious offence such as match fixing scandals.

Today, as we are progressing into a more serious football industry, the domestic leagues also getting more competitive. The national team success at the south east asia level attracted unexpected interest from the Malaysian public. With the help of new generation of football supporters, Malaysian Super League slowly has been accepted by local footie fans with some reasonable heights of hope.

Even though the Super league has now considered as ended with Kelantan retained the title, i am interested to highlight some of the league's top talent who i think in need of serious consideration to leave their current clubs in order to achieve greater things in football. I will list down 6 talented players who i think can make a good move to any side locally or internationaly.

6. AZAMUDIN AKIL (Pahang) - Lately being favourite son for Datuk K Rajagobal, the energetic forward played an instrumental role for his team this season. Could play as a target man as well as on the either flanks, 'Alex' provide plenty of attacking options for any coach. Recently being linked to a move to Selangor next season, Azamudin is indeed now considered as one of the hottest prospect in the market.

5. HADI YAHYA (Terengganu) - The Kelang born striker won the golden boot award last season untill his place took away by Liberian Forkey Doe. Very comfortable in the six yard box, his predatory instinct is top class. Often positioned himself at the right place and at the right time, any team would love to have this kind of goal poacher. If Terengganu retain the service of Forkey doe, i suggest Hadi to move to another club that can give him regular football. To play alongside Akmal Rizal in Perak would help him perhaps?

4. KHYRIL MUHAIMEEN (Kedah) - Spotted, trained, developed by formerly Malaysia under 17 squad and coached by Datuk K rajagobal himself during youth team set up, Khyril is another versatile attacker who could operating with maximum effect either as top marksmen or on the flanks. Known for his trickery and dribbling skills, i suggest a move away could help him to fight for a place in the harimau squad. I imagine Khyril Muhaimeen to joint fellow kedahan Shakir Ali for next season Negeri Sembilan attack?

3. AMIRULHADI ZAINAL (Selangor) - Once considered as automatic starter on the right wing of harimau Malaya, but now found himself on the selangor bench more often. Left out by coach Irfan Bakti for certain reason, Amirulhadi's strength based on his ability to run with the ball and give meaningful penetration from the right side. Powered by relentless stamina, Amirulhadi is dangerous when link up well with his fellow forward and work with small movement on the edge of the penalty box. His understanding with other teammates help him to create spaces and allowing him to make penetrative run inside the box. If cant work out with coach Irfan, i hope he can work things out elsewhere. Perak seem to be an ideal destination.

2. BADDROL BAKHTIAR (kedah) - The forgotten man since the Jakarta SEA games victorious night, Badd is best remembered for his leadership qualities, calmness on the pitch, great passer of the ball, great free kick taker, corner kick specialist, deadly long range shot and good goal ratio for an attacking midfielder. When his team out of form, Badd is the one who lead the team with positive attitude. With so much uncertainties in kedah set up. i suggest Badd to move to a team that can accomodate his style of play. His best position is the free role behind the lone striker, like what Amri Yahyah doing at the moment with selangor. Could be Shah alam stadium will be his new home for next season?

1. ROZAIMI ABD RAHMAN (Sabah) - Not a big figure untill exploded with 10 goals in the recent AFC under 22 qualifying in Myanmar. Rozaimi shows plenty of great goal poaching technics that drew unexpected interest from so many clubs. Thai giants BEC Terro expressed interest in his service but lately no legitimate contact being made. Also monitored by Ong Kim Swee, this young striker is the next big thing for Malaysia Football. The news today confirmed he will be loaned out to Selangor for malaysia cup campaign. Hopefully he can seal the permanent deal there. Rozaimi and Baddrol upfront for Selangor next season?

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

The winning momentum continues...a review on Malaysian Super League Champions, KELANTAN

I thought they deserved to win the league title 2 seasons in a row. I have mentioned somewhere last year that the biggest factor of their success were about the leadership of Tan Sri Annuar Musa. He have so much passion running in his blood about football especially his hometown football team.

KAFA success for the past 3 or 4 seasons earned domestic publicity and Tan Sri managed to lure corporate sponsorship for marketing and joint venture off the pitch. Football team is indeed an expensive equity these days, you need massive budget just to keep sustainable in the league.

Also powered by loyal 'Red Warriors' at average 20k attendance every time they played at home ground, the gate collection were the biggest envy in the country. Good merchandizing outlet accross the state also helped the increase in financial income.

I am talking about financial strength possesed by KAFA based on various income as stated above, and i believe Tan Sri have done a great job in term of identifying the needs of strong financial back up for any football team. Cash stability is vital in today's football. Due to this strong financial conditions, KAFA managed to bring the best out of each players during matchdays. Pro players need extra motivations, they also need extra guarantee for their job. Good pays, extra insentives, benefits will motivate players to perform even better.  You cannot ask a player to commit if their salary payment being deferred to next month, or their contract being terminated due to long term injury. Football players need protection, and they also need a little bit guarantee.

Tan Sri regularly rewarded his players with bonuses, incentives prior to the match. This kind of reward were simply encouraging and helped the players, mentally at least.

Another winning factor was on how KAFA planned for foreign players selection since last year. They have identified Mohd Ghaddar since August last year, if i am not mistaken. Even though KAFA's mariage with Peter Butler only lasted for 2 months due to certain reason, they managed to get a similar quality coach in Bojan hodak. Instant respond reflects KAFA ability to steady the ship in any demanding situation. And this is a sign of profesional football club management. Congrates KAFA.

On the pitch, I saw a very big Kelantan squad helped them to compete on all fronts. Hodak rotated the squad in a very intelligent manner, using different set of players for a different opposition. Team selection also depending on opposition's formation. Thats why we can see sometime NorShahrul Idlan Talaha playing on wide areas. For player of the season in the league, i choose skipper Badri Radzi as their best player in the league. Notably the most hungry for success player on the pitch, Piya always inspired the team to move forward.

I urged all team in the super league to take a look at KAFA and how they manage the team. State FA should start to engange closer with the fans, generate money and deliver the result on the pitch. Congrates Kelantan, i wish you all the best in upcoming AFC cup and Malaysia cup campaign.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Well beaten, or deceived?

With expectation running high prior to the AFC U22 qualifier between host Myanmar and Malaysia, we always believe this talented assembled u22 side will soldier on and win the tie.

The team had to deal with various injury casualties and coach Ong Kim swee was forced to make changes, including playing Fandi Othman as a centre back.

First half was a game to forget. Irfan Fazail didn't play well. Gary Steven looked a bit slow and less aggresive. Nazmi Faiz need to discover himself as he displayed series of poor touches and lack of meaningful running into advance position. OKS need to sort out with Nazmi what was wrong with him lately.

I am not interested to elaborate more on the how we conceded the goals, but at the same time rumors started building up that host Myanmar fielding overaged players in their squad. I just cant believe the rumors with the fact that for today modern football most participating countries are dead serious with their own youth development.

Its hard to accept if any side in this world would do the unthinkable, by deceiving the opponent and also the organizer which is the AFC. For me, this is very UNsporting and contradict to the true value of sportsmanship.

To coach Ong Kim Swee, whether our boys were deceived or not, i suggest they need extra session on how to enhance their fighting mentality wherever they play.